Computer Program Detail Page

written by
Fu-Kwun Hwang
edited by
Loo Kang Wee and
Wolfgang Christian

This interactive simulation gives students practice in the operation and the physical parts of a real micrometer, a measuring device that employs a screw to amplify distances that are too small to measure easily. The accuracy of a micrometer derives from the accuracy of the thread that is at its heart. The basic operating principle of a micrometer is that the rotation of an accurately made screw can be directly and precisely correlated to a certain amount of axial movement (and vice-versa), through the constant known as the screw's lead.

The Micrometer model was created using the Easy Java Simulations (EJS) modeling tool. It is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive. Double click the ejs_ntnu_Micrometer.jar file to run the program (Java must be installed).

Please note that this resource requires
at least version 1.5 of
Java (JRE).

User comments (3)

currently, the simulation does not random-size an object, do u want that feature?

Author: lookang
Posted: October 23, 2011 at 11:34PM

question:currently, the simulation does not random-size an object, do u want that feature?

quote:Unit Title: Applying Measurement in Physics

This is a really nice interactive simulation to give students virtual practice in using a micrometer, a device for doing ultra-precise measurement down to the level of 1 micrometer. Each time the "reset" button is pressed, a random-size object appears on screen. Students use sliders to move the object into place, perform the measurement, and check the accuracy of their reading.:unquote:

thank you for kind comments. i keep updating the simulation herehttp://weelookang.blogspot.com/2010/06/ejs-open-source-micrometer-java-applet.htmlI think i will add the new feature :)

Response from Editor to Lookang's post

> On Oct 23, 2011, lookang posted:> > question:> currently,> the simulation does not random-size an object, do> u want that feature?> > quote:> Unit Title: Applying> Measurement in Physics> > This is a really nice interactive> simulation to give students virtual practice in using> a micrometer, a device for doing ultra-precise measurement> down to the level of 1 micrometer. Each time the "reset"> button is pressed, a random-size object appears on> screen. Students use sliders to move the object into> place, perform the measurement, and check the accuracy> of their reading.:> unquote:> > thank you for kind comments.> > i keep updating the simulation here> http://weelookang.blogspot.com/2010/06/ejs-open-source-micrometer-java-applet.html> I> think i will add the new feature :)>>Hello Lookang,>My apologies for the incorrect description within our Units interface. Yes, it would be great if >the simulation random-sized the object to be measured. If you are planning to make this >change, I will leave the description as it is.>Many thanks,>Caroline Hall, Managing Editor, ComPADRE

Re: Response from Editor to Lookang's post

> On Oct 24, 2011, Caroline Hall-Managing Editor posted> > >> >Hello Lookang> > >My apologies for the incorrect description within> our Units interface. Yes, it would be great if >the> simulation random-sized the object to be measured.> If you are planning to make this >change, I will leave> the description as it is.> >Many thanks,> >Caroline> Hall, Managing Editor, ComPADRE

added a magnify ability to draw students attention to the lines based on codes from http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ntnujava/index.php?topic=2268.0 by Fu-Kwun Hwangrandomize the size of the black object each time to simulation is reset based on a request on physics front http://www.thephysicsfront.org/items/detail.cfm?ID=9422

Standards (4)

AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)

3. The Nature of Technology

3B. Design and Systems

9-12: 3B/H6. To reduce the chance of system failure, performance testing is often conducted using small-scale models, computer simulations, analogous systems, or just the parts of the system thought to be least reliable.

11. Common Themes

11B. Models

6-8: 11B/M2. Mathematical models can be displayed on a computer and then modified to see what happens.

AAAS Benchmark Alignments (1993 Version)

12. HABITS OF MIND

12C (6-8) #3. Read analog and digital meters on instruments used to make direct measurements of length, volume, weight, elapsed time, rates, and temperature, and choose appropriate units for reporting various magnitudes.

Units (1)

This resource is part of a Physics Front Topical Unit.

Topic: Measurement and the Language of PhysicsUnit Title: Applying Measurement in Physics

This is a really nice interactive simulation to give students virtual practice in using a micrometer, a device for doing ultra-precise measurement down to the level of 1 micrometer. Each time the "reset" button is pressed, a random-size object appears on screen. Students use sliders to move the object into place, perform the measurement, and check the accuracy of their reading.

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